How Great Our Joy

Praise be the Lord in heaven on high! I would love to write more often, however, I can only write only as often as I feel moved or compelled by the Spirit. Today I feel compelled to remind us of the meaning of the word JOY.

J – thou shall love Jesus first
O – thou shall love others
Y – thou shall also love thy self

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Let’s test this against our foundation, our Holy Bible, inspired by God, written by men of God.

Mark 12:
The Greatest Commandment
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Amazing! Even our everyday language contains the the greatest commandments.

rejoiceWe do not always feel happy, but surely we can always feel joyful. There is a difference in the two, happiness is birthed by current life experiences. Joy comes from faith, hope and love. The opposite of happiness is unhappiness, but the opposite of joy really is fear.

Remember the Apostle Paul wrote many Books of the Bible whilst in jail (Philippians 1). However, we see Paul speaking of rejoicing even under these conditions:

Philippians 1:
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Final Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Even in chains, Paul still found reasons to rejoice. He was not moaning about his condition, instead he remained confident in Jesus Christ and wrote of how much he loved his brothers and sisters.  Wonderful! May we all continue in the example set by this man of God, this steadfast man of God being moved by the Spirit of God (how else can we be children of God anyways). So with that, may we be moved by the Spirit in all things we do, and remain joyful, rejoicing in the Good LORD whether in comfortable conditions or discomforting ones.

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